Video & Transcript : 'ethical research' :
Page 480 of 500
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- They have a grant from the National Science Foundation to improve research capacity.
- They have a grant from the National Science Foundation to improve research capacity.
Committee:
All ALC-PEER
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jun 16th, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- For timing purposes, I would remind folks that this may be a fairly complicated thing to research.
- For timing purposes, I would remind folks that this may be a fairly complicated thing to research.
Committee:
Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy
Summary:
The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics.
Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation.
The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options.
The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - 2026-05-29 - 11:15AM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I eventually took that data and launched a nonprofit organization called 46brooklyn Research, where I
- Adam Patrick, Deputy Commissioner of Policy, Innovation and Research for the Department.
Committee:
Senate Insurance
Summary:
The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments.
The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state.
HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 13th, 2026
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- homelessness, increase access to higher education, and retain our world-class faculty, staff, and researchers
- Staff and researchers, and we can do it all while saving state dollars.
Committee:
House Appropriations
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- from there, we can share these are events, these are resources that we have that you can start researching
- But sometimes we have to emphasize, with these decisions and processes, you want to do your research
Summary:
The Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation was from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE), a five-year Administration for Community Living grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence. Presenters described the project’s community conversations, consortium model, and four work groups, with emphasis on the family-partnership work group and a survey designed to better understand family engagement, barriers, and expectations around transition planning.
The survey results showed that family participation increased significantly after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from a small number of responses to more than 200. Key findings included barriers such as meeting times, language access, child care, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition timelines. Families generally expected college or employment outcomes for their children, but many reported limited awareness of pre-employment training and transition planning, especially for younger students. Lawrence Public Schools described its five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a new transition website, while noting that even with added supports, engagement remained lower than hoped and requires ongoing relationship-building.
Committee members asked about cultural outreach, early transition planning, college and trade pathways, summer youth employment, and how to expand real-world work experiences. Presenters said the district is trying to start transition conversations earlier, improve access to accommodations and postsecondary options, and expand employment experiences beyond simulated settings. They also noted that the LPTE resource hub will be transferred to the Arc and remain available after the grant ends in September, and that the consortium model may continue in some form. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjournment, and members were reminded of an upcoming meeting with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer and a future presentation from the Office of Veterans Affairs.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- from there, we can share: these are events, these are resources that we have that you can start researching
- But sometimes we have to emphasize with these decisions and processes, you want to do your research ahead
Summary:
The Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation was from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE), a five-year grant project focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence. Presenters described the project’s community conversations, consortium, and four work groups, with emphasis on the family-partnership work group and a family survey designed to better understand engagement barriers and transition needs.
The survey results showed that family participation increased sharply when Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute the survey, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Key findings included barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, and limited understanding of the IEP and transition process. Many families said they wanted their children to pursue college or employment after high school, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, suggesting a gap between expectations and awareness of available services. The Lawrence team also described a bilingual transition website, workshops offered at different times with interpretation and childcare, and efforts to make transition planning more visible and accessible.
Committee members responded with questions and comments about cultural barriers, early transition planning, college and community college pathways, trades, summer youth employment, and how to reach families earlier, especially in middle school. Presenters said Lawrence has a strong transition team and existing resources, but needs more real-world work experiences and better communication so families understand and use them. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, a note that committee members would meet with SEED later in the week about Massachusetts as a model employer, and an announcement that the May meeting would feature the Office of Veterans Affairs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Committee Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Delta Stewardship Council has already done the research on what investments are needed, developing
- The Delta Stewardship Council has already done the research on what investments are needed, developing
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start of the meeting. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures were taken up with waived presentations, brief public testimony, and then moved to suspense without objection.
Several bills received author presentations and discussion. SB 872 by Senator McNerney proposed a long-term funding mechanism for Delta levee and State Water Project canal repairs, with strong support from water agencies, environmental groups, and regional coalitions emphasizing flood risk, water reliability, and protection of state assets; the bill was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize, but not require, blue emergency lights on parole vehicles; supporters from the parole officers’ union cited officer safety and the death of parole agent Joshua Bird, and it too was moved to suspense. SB 950 by Senator Richardson would require coverage of FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; the committee noted the estimated premium impact was minimal and voted 7-0 for due pass to the Senate floor, while asking the author to consider a sunset amendment.
The committee also heard testimony on SB 1123, where the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association opposed the measure on policy grounds, but it was still sent to suspense. SB 1069 and SB 1138 drew support from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, respectively. The remaining suspense-file bills on the agenda were largely taken up in sequence with no opposition or committee questions and were moved to suspense without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- To my knowledge, that may well be true, but I have not researched to see if that's in other places in
- It, oh, in my research, I discovered that there's a state that has done They did a, I don't know what
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
Keywords:
firearm rights restoration, nonviolent felons, Oklahoma firearm laws, gun ownership, pardon, expungement, public safety, transportation of inmates, Department of Corrections, correctional facilities, sentencing, health records, firefighters, sex offenders, employment restrictions, Oklahoma laws, bomb, explosive device, incendiary device, simulated bomb
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Apr 7th, 2026
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- Why you rush it instead of doing your job and, you know, make a big, big research so we can have a real
- Rogers had asked, but I think we'll do more research before we ask that question. A lot...
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a major transportation investment package centered on a $300 million annual Chapter 90 local aid program, with $200 million distributed by the traditional formula and $100 million by lane miles to better support rural communities. They also outlined funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, transportation projects that support housing production, a new DCR parkway resilience and safety program, and reauthorizations of existing highway and municipal grant programs such as the Municipal Pavement Program and Shared Streets and Spaces.
Witnesses said the bill would help address aging infrastructure, improve safety and resilience, support housing development, and leverage Fair Share surtax revenue through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. They explained that some authorizations are structured to allow the state to issue special obligation bonds, and clarified that the bill authorizes the full spending amount for federally aided projects even though the state only borrows the 20 percent match, with the federal government reimbursing the rest. Committee members asked about bridge repair needs, the size of the backlog, how housing-related transportation funds would be allocated, MBTA vehicle procurement, and whether rural communities would have fair access to the new funding streams.
Several members praised the administration’s financing approach but urged future Chapter 90 increases to keep pace with inflation and requested more attention to rural municipal capacity and bridge safety needs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool for cities and towns to maintain local roads and bridges and urging prompt passage before construction season. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Apr 7th, 2026
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- Why rush it instead of doing your job and, you know, make a big, big research so we can have a real bonding
- counsel about almost a follow-up on what Representative Rogers had asked, but I think we'll do more research
Bills:
H5279
Keywords:
municipal roads, bridges, transportation bond bill, infrastructure financing, capital spending, bond authorization, general obligation bonds, special obligation bonds, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act, road resurfacing, road repair, bridge repair, pavement, culverts, stormwater management, climate resilience, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian infrastructure, transit modernization, commuter rail
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 6th, 2026
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- We even have academic research that has shown that since Citizens United, the public not just feels like
- because I totally get your point about, you know, people barely pay attention to the news, let alone research
Committee:
House Banking and Finance
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression Apr 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- remember before I was in elected office and I had a co-worker at the time whose sister did a lot of research
- y'all want to see out of the commission in the coming year in particular, and any event ideas, paper research
Summary:
The meeting was an organizational and planning session of the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression. After roll call and housekeeping, the co-chairs thanked Senator Liz Miranda for her service and announced Senator Adam Gomez as the new Senate co-chair. Senator Miranda explained her transition off the leadership role due to other responsibilities and personal losses, while Senator Gomez said he was honored to join, would listen and learn, and would bring a Western Massachusetts perspective to the statewide commission.
Members discussed current maternal health developments, including a new Department of Public Health regulation implementing the 2024 midwifery law and allowing temporary licenses for licensed certified professional midwives. The commission also reviewed open seats and possible future appointees, with an emphasis on adding regional, clinical, and lived-experience diversity. Several commissioners raised concerns about birthing hospital and inpatient obstetric unit closures, workforce shortages in OB-GYN and midwifery, reimbursement changes, and the need to expand training slots and funding for perinatal care.
A major theme was how the commission should focus its work in the coming year. Members suggested more attention to parent-child relational health, pediatric screening for postpartum mood disorders, coordination across OB-GYN, pediatrics, infant mental health, and home visiting systems, and stronger involvement from clinicians and organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The Division of Public Health and the Division of Insurance shared updates on community midwifery reimbursement, a payer learning community, insurance coverage for mental health examinations, and the need for better education about birthing centers and doulas. Commissioners also discussed substance use and maternal mental health supports, noting that current funding for community-based organizations is limited compared with demand.
The group reviewed upcoming maternal health events in April, including Black Maternal Health Week activities, and agreed there was not enough time to plan a new commission event for May. Instead, members favored using the commission’s communication channels to share relevant events and information. The commission approved a motion to create a biweekly digest for information sharing, with urgent items still able to be sent directly to commissioners, and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression Apr 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- remember before I was in elected office and I had a co-worker at the time whose sister did a lot of research
- want to see out of the commission in the coming year in particular, and any event ideas, paper, research
Summary:
The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression met to reopen its work for the year, confirm attendance, and note several membership transitions, including the departure of Beth Buxton, Nekah Hall, and Dr. Lisa Scarfo. Senator Miranda stepped down as co-chair, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Both outgoing and incoming leaders spoke about the importance of the commission’s work, the need for continued advocacy on maternal mental health, and personal losses that have shaped their commitment to the issue.
Members discussed priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the maternal health omnibus law, publicizing upcoming maternal health events, and improving information-sharing through a biweekly digest. Several commissioners raised concerns about the closure of birthing centers and inpatient obstetric units, workforce shortages in obstetrics and midwifery, and the need to preserve or expand training slots and federal matching opportunities. Others emphasized the need to strengthen community-based perinatal mental health supports, including Moms Do Care and First Steps Together, and to increase funding beyond the $220,000 appropriated for community organizations.
The commission also heard updates from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health about regulatory and reimbursement issues, including a new community of learning for payers, mental health exam reimbursement guidance, and concerns about sustainability of birth centers and midwifery reimbursement. Commissioners stressed the importance of better coordination among OB-GYN, pediatric, infant mental health, home visiting, and clinical providers, with some suggesting a stronger role for clinicians and perinatal mental health organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The meeting ended with a motion and vote to create a biweekly information digest, with urgent items to be shared by email, followed by adjournment.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- probably just going to be a no, but as we move forward, as it gets to the floor, I'll obviously research
- Most of the ones that I've seen and that I've researched are very solvent, and they have a reserve fund
Committee:
House Local Government
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- He can continue, say, a research project, or he can retire and leave it on the table unfinished.
- He can continue, say, a research project, or he can retire and leave it on the table unfinished.
Committee:
House Retirement
Summary:
The Retirement Committee met on March 26, 2026, with a quorum present. House Bill 24 was voluntarily deferred at the start of the meeting. The committee then heard House Bill 20, which would have allowed retired teachers to return to work under superintendent discretion while drawing retirement benefits. Representative Bagley argued the bill would help address teacher shortages by letting districts hire experienced certified teachers, while Representative Taylor raised broader concerns about how returning retirees are treated. After discussion, HB 20 was voluntarily deferred.
The committee next considered House Bill 25, a technical update to the Teachers’ Retirement System to conform with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, including benefit commencement and surviving spouse election provisions. Catherine Whitney of TRSL said the bill is routine compliance legislation reviewed periodically by the system’s tax attorney. An amendment was adopted, and HB 25 was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 23, a cost-of-living adjustment bill for LASERS retirees, was also amended to raise the benefit cap from $80,000 to $81,201 and then reported favorably as amended.
House Bill 42 proposed a phased retirement program for higher education employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System, allowing partial retirement and part-time work with partial benefits. Bacala said it was intended to help retain talent at universities and was based on prior task force recommendations; an amendment was adopted to set the participation framework for universities, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 32, a LASERS cleanup bill addressing disability retiree restoration, administrative errors, and benefit calculations, was described by LASERS as technical in nature and was reported favorably. House Bill 13, a State Police Retirement System reamortization bill, was amended to adjust timing and technical provisions and then reported favorably as amended.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 41 on the Firefighters’ Retirement System board makeup. A new amendment package replaced earlier amendments and would eliminate term limits, expand elected active-member seats from two to five, remove chief association appointments, and require vacancies to be filled by election. Supporters described it as a compromise intended to better represent the system’s active members, while the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association objected that chiefs had been left out of the negotiations and said they provide important budget and governance expertise. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 41 favorably as amended.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research Fiscal Division. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research Fiscal Division.
Committee:
All ALC-REVIEW
Summary:
The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot.
The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees.
Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- A big part of what we do is promotion, education, and research.
- So, like I said, education, promotion, research—the one thing that we cannot use checkoff dollars for
Committee:
Senate Agricultural Affairs
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 23rd, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- Since then, there's been a lot of research, a lot of fine-tuning across the United States, and newer
- So if you do any research, pay attention to the date of the studies and the reports.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Feb 23rd, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Delivery of health care, medicines, research and development.
- Research and development.
Summary:
The Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs held public hearings on three measures. House Bill 2289, sponsored by Rep. Owen, would create a real estate fund to let the state more quickly sell and buy property, with proceeds from sales and other monies deposited for future real property acquisitions. Rep. Owen and Office of Administration witness Hanna-Swan said the current process is too slow and cumbersome, especially when the state needs to consolidate or relocate offices; Rep. Walshmore raised concerns about siloing funds during tight budget years, while supporters said the fund would improve flexibility and efficiency. No vote was taken.
The committee then heard House Joint Resolution 189, sponsored by Rep. Wellenkamp, proposing a Missouri sovereign wealth fund, or “Show Me Prosperity Fund.” Wellenkamp argued the state needs a long-term investment vehicle to address infrastructure and fiscal pressures, with the Treasurer investing in private markets under strict controls and the fund eventually replacing tax revenue once it matures. Members questioned the source of initial funding, the investment rules, the audit provisions, and whether the fund could be used for broader state spending; no witnesses testified in opposition or support, and no action was taken.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2906, sponsored by Rep. Mayhew, which would raise dollar limits for certain Office of Administration construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair contracts and authorize master agreements for architecture, engineering, and land surveying services. Mayhew and OA said the changes would account for inflation and reduce delays by prequalifying vendors for two-year periods instead of repeating the RFQ process for small projects. An engineering industry witness supported the bill as an efficiency measure, and committee members asked about the contract limits, the master agreement structure, and how the numbers were chosen. The hearing concluded without a vote.